Sharad Pawar

Queried on an atmosphere of confusion prevailing against him, especially his future political course, Ajit Pawar blamed the media and his "wellwishers", a cryptic reference to his detractors in politics.

Pawar, who had sprung a surprise by announcing his resignation three days ago, said he could not disrespect the sentiments of his colleagues and party workers who insisted that he withdraw his decision.

Praful Patel and senior party leaders met Pawar at his Silver Oak residence in south Mumbai after a committee formed to choose his successor rejected his decision to step down as NCP chief.

"The committee has unanimously passed a resolution. It unanimously rejects his decision to step down and urges him to continue as party president," Patel said after a meeting of the committee.

The committee was set up by 82-year-old Pawar to pick his successor and it includes Ajit Pawar, Supriya Sule, former Union leader Parful Patel and Bhujbal.

The meeting will take place at 11 am at the party office in south Mumbai, the leader said.

Had the Congress and Nationalist Congress Party contested the 2014 Assembly polls together, they would have retained power in Maharashtra, he wrote in the updated version of his autobiography, released on Tuesday.

In his revised autobiography 'Lok Majhe Sangati', which focuses on events post-2015, released on Wednesday, Pawar also admitted that there were informal talks between some NCP and BJP leaders after the 2019 assembly polls in Maharashtra when there was uncertainty over government formation.

Pawar's announcement, which came at an event to release the updated version of his Marathi autobiography, stumped leaders and workers of the 24-year-old party, and many were seen crying and pleading with the Maratha strongman to reconsider his decision.

Sharad Pawar resigned: Speaking at a book launch of his autobiography at the Yashwantrao Chavan Pratisthan, Pawar announced his decision which was met with protests by NCP workers and leaders.

Pawar tweeted that a delegation led by Satyajit Chavan called on him at the YB Chavan Centre here.

Sharad Pawar spoke to reporters here after state industries minister Uday Samant met him to discuss the issue.

Notably, amid rumours that he is cosying up with the ruling BJP, Ajit Pawar on Friday said he would "100 per cent like to be the chief minister" of Maharashtra and that the NCP can stake a claim to the post of the CM "now also" instead of waiting for 2024 when Assembly polls are due in the state.

On Monday, Ajit Pawar also dismissed as false the reports that he has called a meeting of MLAs on Tuesday, amid intense speculation in Maharashtra's political circles about his growing proximity with the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Sharad Pawar was speaking at a discussion to commemorate the acclaimed 1979 Marathi film "Simhasan" (Throne) directed by Jabbar Patel. The film revolves around Maharashtra's politics in the 1970s.

Pawar had earlier said a Supreme Court-appointed inquiry committee will be "more useful and effective" in dealing with the matter.

Amid the on-going row over Prime Minister Narendra Modi's educational degree, NCP supremo Sharad Pawar dimissed the question regarding the genuineness of his degree and emphasised the need to focus on larger socio-economic issues.

Talking to reporters, Pawar said if a JPC has 21 members, 15 will be from the ruling party and six from the opposition due to numerical strength in Parliament, which will create doubts on the panel.

Pawar and Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Uddhav Thackeray are the signatories from the opposition bloc in Maharashtra to the letter written by Arvind Kejriwal of AAP and eight other parties.

Pawar had said the Bharatiya Janata Party’s defeat in its bastion of Kasba Peth in Pune city by the Congress in the recently-held bypoll indicated that winds of change were blowing across the country.